Catnip! Good for cats, good for people
Many people know the effects of catnip on our feline friends, but few realize that catnip has medicinal effects for humans.
From stomach aches to reducing fever, catnip is a versatile herb with many benefits. Next time you grow this plant for your cat, you can finally take some cuttings for yourself!
Below is an excerpt A farmer dealing with organic medicinal herbs By Jeff and Melanie Carpenter. It has been adapted for utilize on the Internet.
Catnip. Photo courtesy of Kate Clearlight
Catnip – Nepeta Cataria
Life cycle
Catnip is a short-lived perennial herb, hardy in USDA zones 3 through 9.
Description of the plant
Native to Europe, this perennial was introduced to North America and is a favorite among cats and herbalists alike. It belongs to the family Lamiaceae, Catnip is a mint with classic square stems and alternating leaves.
Catnip has serrated, heart-shaped leaves that are fuzzy and grey-green. It is very aromatic and reaches a height of three to four feet, making it a wonderful border and companion plant.
In mid to delayed summer, catnip produces dense spikes of petite, individual flowers which are white with a stunning airy purple tint. Catnip lives on average for about five seasons, but is most prolific in its second and third year of growth.
Growing conditions
In the wild, catnip grows in parched soils and is commonly found in field edges, stream banks, and disturbed areas. It grows well in full and partial sun and likes well-drained soil with good fertility and organic matter.
Propagation
Catnip seeds germinate depending on airy and should be planted on the surface or lightly covered with potting mix. For best germination results, seeds should be stratified. Catnip can be sown directly in early spring or grown from seedlings or vegetative cuttings.
On our farm, we prefer to grow catnip from seedlings; this means fewer weeds and a cleaner harvest. Once established, catnip will spread vegetatively and will also self-seed.
Planting notes
Although this perennial can live for five years or more, catnip yields are usually lower for older plants. Yields are consistently higher for plants in the second and third year of growth, but then begin to decline.
Due to its high aromaticity and attractiveness to pollinators, catnip can be a good companion plant that repels bothersome insects and attracts beneficial plants.
It provides a nice border for crops such as calendula and echinacea, which are susceptible to insect-borne diseases. Plant spacing is twelve inches between plants in a row and twenty-eight inches between rows.
Medicinal uses
Catnip is a wonderful sedative that can be safely used on children and adults. It has a calming, calming effect and can facilitate relieve irritability in children; supports sleep and relieves digestive disorders.
Catnip has bitter properties and not only calms the stomach, but also has a carminative effect and helps get rid of gas. In addition to its calming and bitter effects, catnip has a calming and bitter effect it helps with sweating, reduces fever, and is commonly used with herbs such as yarrow and yarrow to treat flu symptoms.
Slightly astringent, it is also good for treating diarrhea in children and can be taken as a tea or tincture. Another way to utilize catnip is to make herbal honey from it and add it to drinks. Catnip has a stimulating effect on cats and can often be found in their toys and treats.
Harvest specifications
Huge commercial herb farms often produce catnip much like hay, using machinery to cut, field parched and bale the harvest.
Drying catnip in the field produces needy quality results and is not recommended for medicinal purposes. Catnip is harvested when it is in full bloom, from mid to delayed summer.
Cut through the entire plant, both leaves and flowers, with a field knife or sickle. When harvesting, be sure to leave at least six to eight inches of growth to recover. This will facilitate the plants overwinter, and in some warmer climates, a second harvest may be possible.
Notes after harvesting and drying
Droughty catnip at 95 to 100°F. Do not parched catnip at very high temperatures as this may result in the loss of volatile indispensable oils.
The buds should be dried whole, in partial shade and with good air flow. Under good conditions, catnip can parched in two to three days.
Leaves and flowers can be distorted when dried by rubbing them against a quarter- to half-inch stainless steel mesh and picking out the stems. Once distorted, mix the leaves and flowers together.
Pests and diseases
Catnip experiences minimal disease and pest pressure, due in part to its highly aromatic nature.
Yields
Two hundred pounds of dried catnip leaves and flowers per 1/8 acre bed (multiple harvests per season). The moisture ratio of catnip leaf flowers is 3.5:1 fresh:dried.
Quotation
Retail price per pound of organic products:
- Dried catnip leaf/flower: $12 to $24
- Fresh catnip leaf/flower: $12 to $14